Tracking the COVID-19 situation around the NFL for fantasy

The 2020 pro football season promises to be one of the strangest of our lifetimes, and that requires fantasy football adjustments as well.

NFL players have until 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 6 to opt-out of the entire 2020 season, according to the agreement between the league and the players union. Several big-name players have already made this decision. Every move has the potential to shake up fantasy drafts boards, so we’re here to give you quick analysis on key takeaways.

Additionally, the NFL has created a reserve/COVID-19 short-term IR list for players that either test positive or have been in contact with a person who tested positive. Exactly how long they will stay on this list will differ from player to player, but we’ll be here to cover the potential fantasy fallout of every move.

This post will be updated regularly as more news comes in. Last updated: August 3.

(Check out Brad Evans’ tips for running a fantasy league in a COVID-19 world.)

NFL COVID-19 opt-outs

Running back

Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots — Rex Burkhead secures additional snaps, and Damien Harris is now much more likely to see the field.
Jamize Olawale, Dallas Cowboys
Damien Williams, Kansas City Chiefs — Clyde Edwards-Helaire is now completely free to be the workhorse in KC. CEH is a first-round fantasy pick.
Dan Vitale, New England Patriots

Wide receiver

Geronimo Allison, Detroit Lions — This locks in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones for monster target shares and brightens the outlook for T.J. Hockenson.
Travis Benjamin, San Francisco 49ers — No direct fantasy impact here, but the 49ers are thin at WR with starter Deebo Samuel injured and backup Richie James Jr. nursing an injury as well.
Devin Funchess, Green Bay Packers — Allen Lazard is now set to be the unquestioned WR2 in Green Bay all season. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jake Kumerow should have occasional DFS appeal. Jace Sternberger’s target opportunity increases.
Marquise Goodwin, Philadelphia Eagles — Jalen Reagor now has less competition for early-season targets. JJ Arcega-Whiteside gets another shot.
Stephen Guidry, Dallas Cowboys
Allen Hurns, Miami Dolphins — See Albert Wilson below.
Marqise Lee, New England Patriots — Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski are leading contenders for New England’s WR4 spot now.
Da'Mari Scott, New York Giants
De'Anthony Thomas, Baltimore Ravens
Albert Wilson, Miami Dolphins — Jakeem Grant will assume WR3 duties in Miami, but he doesn't have fantasy appeal. DeVante Parker, Preston Williams and Mike Gesicki are locked into big target shares.

Tight end

Matt LaCosse, New England Patriots — Pats rookie TEs Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi will now fully share the load, barring the Patriots adding someone.
Jason Vander Laan, New Orleans Saints
Cole Wick, New Orleans Saints

Other positions

John Atkins, DL, Detroit Lions
Sam Beal, CB, New York Giants
Andrew Billings, DL, Cleveland Browns
Caleb Brantley, DL, Washington Football Team
Maurice Canady, DB, Dallas Cowboys
Marcus Cannon, OL, New Enland Patriots
Patrick Chung, DB, New England Patriots
Shon Coleman, OL, San Francisco 49ers
Drake Dorbeck, OL, Cleveland Browns
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OL, Kansas City Chiefs
Drew Forbes, OL, Cleveland Browns
E.J. Gaines, DB, Buffalo Bills
Marcus Gilbert, OL, Arizona Cardinals
Eddie Goldman, DL, Chicago Bears
Josh Harvey-Clemons, LB, Washington Football Team
Dont'a Hightower, LB, New England Patriots — Second-round pick Josh Uche will be forced into the spotlight right away.
Ja'Wuan James, OL, Denver Broncos — Worth noting for how it might affect Drew Lock, Melvin Gordon and/or Phillip Lindsay, though probably not significant enough to shift their ADPs.
Leo Koloamatangi, OL, New York Jets
Star Lotulelei, DL, Buffalo Bills
Jordan Lucas, DB, Chicago Bears
Jordan Mack, LB, Carolina Panthers
Lerentee McCray, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Anthony McKinney, OL, Tennessee Titans
Rashaan Melvin, DB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Christian Miller, LB, Carolina Panthers
Rolan Milligan, DB, Indianapolis Colts
Skai Moore, LB, Indianapolis Colts
C.J. Mosley, LB, New York Jets — Mosley was a top-12 LB for IDP leagues.
Kyle Peko, DL, Denver Broncos
Michael Pierce, DL, Minnesota Vikings
Andre Smith, OL, Baltimore Ravens
Nate Solder, OL, New York Giants — A blow to Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones, but not enough to move the ADP of either one.
Marvell Tell, DB, Indianapolis Colts
Najee Toran, OL, New England Patriots
Josh Tupou, DL, Cincinnati Bengals
Eddie Vanderdoes, DL, Houston Texans
Chance Warmack, OL, Seattle Seahawks
Al Woods, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars

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NFL COVID-19/Reserve List — Fantasy names to know

(Players on this list have not necessarily tested positive; the list is also for players who have come in “close contact with an infected person or persons.” Players can be removed from the list when they have been cleared. Date listed is the date a player was added to the list.)

Running back

Ryquell Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars (Aug. 2) — Leonard Fournette’s handcuff.
Jaylen Samuels, Pittsburgh Steelers (Aug. 2) — James Conner would earn more targets if Samuels isn’t ready.
Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (July 27) — Vaughn, a rookie, is missing critical time, and this could cement Ronald Jones as the early-season starter. Vaughn should still push for passing-down work.

Wide receiver

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (July 27) — Jefferson is poised for a big role right from the start with no Stefon Diggs; if he misses time, Tajae Sharpe would get a crack at WR2 duties.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers (Aug. 2) — Chase Claypool would be Pittsburgh’s WR3 if Washington misses time.

Tight end

T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions (July 29) — Hockenson missing time would push more volume to Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and the RBs (Kerryon Johnson and D'Andre Swift).
Jace Sternberger, Green Bay Packers (July 30) — Primed for a possible breakout season. If Sternberger misses time, his backups are not worth fantasy attention.